TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4332, 6 February 1875, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.

[Pbess Telegeaph Agency.! Geahamsiown, Priday. A hoard of officers, with Major Lusk as president, was held on Wednesday evening to consider the protest lodged against Skinner, winner of the championship, on the ground that he had broken the general rules by measuring his powder and tampering with his sight. The evidence went to prove that Skinner’s sight had been filed, but there was nothing to connect the champion with the act, as the rifle had changed hands half a dozen times since it was first issued from the store. Under the circumstances the protest could not be sustained.

A stranger in Shortlaud yesterday had a narrow escape from ducldng, owing to his having been pointed out as Sullivan, of Maungatapu notoriety. The man was drinking, when another, who professed to know Sullivan, said the stranger was that man. Some others who were present collared the stranger, and were about to take him to the wharf, when he produced proofs that he was not the released murderer. Subsequently the man was arrested for drunkenness. Napier, Eriday. The ram fair yesterday was very successful. There was a large attendance, and good prices were obtained. The gross amount realised by Mr. M. B. Miller’s sale was .£3200, and other transactions are pending. The Bangatira sails for Wellington to-mor-row at noon.

A new book by Mr. John White, J.P., of Napier, called “Te Eoa, or Maori at Home,” published in Loudon, has just been received. It is very favorably reviewed in the Ilmuke’a Bay Herald. Nelson, Friday. The Eev. Charles Clark lectured on Charles Dickens last night, and was enthusiastically received. He proceeds to Wellington next week. Hokitika, Friday. Superintendent Bonar opened the third session of the Provincial Council to-day. He stated that the land revenue had fallen short by £7OO, but as the third of the General Government’s special grant was available, the total liabilities from the past year were only £2OOO. During the year £IB,OOO had been spent on public works, against £IO,OOO in the previous year. He referred to the promising prospects of the Jackson’s Bay settlement, regretting that no practical benefit to Westland had resulted from the general system of immigration. He described the amendments of the Hoad Board system proposed by the Government, and stated that it was the intention of the Government to amend the license laws. He suggested the Council should settle the amounts to be paid to the tramway companies, and the General Government would be asked to introduce an Act to provide compensation. On the provincial question- he said his firm conviction was that the time had now arrived, when the system of double government should cease. So long as the present provincial system continued, so long would the weaker subdivisions of the colony continue to suffer. CimiSTCHCROH, Friday.

A sad accident occurred in the river Rangitata yesterday. Mr. Hunt, Head Master of the Timaru School, his wife aud_ his mother-in-law (Mrs. . Cunningham), were crossing in a buggy driven by the former, when the ladies, getting frightened, stood up and capsized the buggy. The ferryman caught hold of Mr. Hunt, but the stream carried him away again. The ferryman then caught hold of Mrs. Hunt, and took her ashore, but life was extinct. The party wore crossing at the proper ford, and the river was low. No accident would have occurred if the ladies had not got frightened. Efforts are being made to establish a pigeonflying club here. The cabmen now offer to submit the dispute between themselves and the City Council to arbitration.

A dog show will probably be held in connection with the next poultry exhibition.

Timaeu, Friday. The bodies of Mr. Hunt and Mrs. Cunningham hare been recovered, and will be brought to Timaru to-day. * Two little children are left orphans. The public school is closed till after the funeral. The disaster has made a most painful impression. The following is a somewhat fuller account of the late melancholy accident: — A fatal accident occurred in the Rangifcata yesterday. J, F. L. Hunt, Head-master of Timaru School, with his ■wife and her mother (Mrs. Cunningham), arrived at the river at 9 a.m. in a pair-horse buggy, having left Timaru at 4 a.m. Ragg, the ferryman, on horseback, started to pilot them across the lower ferry. When half-way across, the the buggy. The ferryman went to the assistance of the occupants, who were struggling in the water. He caught hold of Mrs. Hunt, and took her to the bank, but found that she was dead. He returned to Hunt, who was standing up to his middle in the water. Hunt took hold of the pilot’s horse’s mane and stirrups, but before the pilot had proceeded far, let go his hold, and was drowned. Mrs. Cunningham was drowned immediately after the buggy overturned. The body of Mrs. Cunningham was recovered on the same day, and Mr. Hunt’s to-day, about six miles south of the ferry. The accident has created a great sensation in Timaru. The three bodies will be brought here on Saturday, and an inquest held. Dunedin, Friday. Thomas Johnston has been committed for trial for an indecent assault on his stepdaughter, nine years old. The evidence of the members of prisoner’s family was horrible, and revealed an amount of depravity which is rarely met with.